Rob Johnson (2) (1961–)

Railroad fiction’s heyday was the first half of the 20th Century. Frank Spearman’s collection of short stories Held For Orders was one of the earliest entries to the field and Bedwell’s novel , The Boomer, was one of the last. The decline in the interest in this form of fictional writing mirrored the departure of the railroads from the center stage of public life.

Short Lines is a sampler of some of the best short stories from this period which Rob Johnson has assembled for the show more reading pleasure of readers too young to remember the sound of steam locomotives in revenue service. The book includes writings from many of the top practitioners of this form of fiction – Harry Bedwell, Octavus Roy Cohen, Frank H. spearman, Cy Warman, A.W. Somerville, and Frank L. Packard as well as writings from other well-known authors whose names are not usually associated with this genre.

In addition to the collected short stories the book provides brief bibliographies of their authors. If an author never published anything in book form Short Lines has listed the names and general dates of some magazines where their works can be found. I think Johnson’s book is a fine introduction to this rather obscure region of the literary landscape.

Contents:

Smart Boomer – 1941 - Harry Bedwell
Holding Up a Train – 1916 – O. Henry
The Far and the Near – 1935 – Thomas Wolfe
Mrs. Union Station - 1901 - Douglass Welch
The Octopus (From the Novel) – 1935 – Frank Norris
A Toot for a Toot – 1928 – Octavus Roy Cohen
The Nerve of Foley – 1901 – Frank Spearman
The Locomotive that Lost Herself – 1897 – Cy Warman
Hoboes that Pass in the Night – 1907 – Jack London
The Railway Guide – 1932 – Christopher Morley
The Night Operator – 1919 – Frank Packard
.007 – 1898 – Rudyard Kipling
Wide-Open Throttle – 1930 – A.W. Somerville
Stanwick’s Business – 1904 – Owen Wister

(Text Length - 239 pages, Total Length - 244 pages.) show less

Fairly useful & illuminating in the context of Burroughs' first few works. Hindered toward the end by a peculiar confusion of the concept of hearsay, but otherwise a perfect read.

My professor wrote this book. He's an awesome guy and I learned so much from his notes and lectures on the subject that I can't wait until I actually get down to reading it.